In today’s global world we can easily make the mistake of thinking that international trade is something new and exciting, that ‘we’ recently discovered. How wrong we would be! The volume may be greater, but humans have been trading for thousands of years – even our stone-age ancestors did it, trading the best flints across great distances. Closer to our present time, trade between China and Europe has a long history, with good flowing along the Silk Road to the Middle East, and from there finding their way into the homes of wealthy Europeans.
Willow trees are beloved for their graceful, drooping branches and attractive foliage While they are typically planted in the ground, growing a willow tree in a container is also possible for gardens with limited space
Container-grown willows make excellent accent plants for patios, decks, and balconies. With proper care, these beautiful trees can thrive for years in pots, providing you with elegance and charm.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about successfully growing a willow tree in a pot:
Choosing the Right Willow Variety
With around 400 species to pick from, selecting the right willow variety is key. Focus on compact, smaller-growing types that are suited to life in a container Some top options include
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Kilmarnock Willow (Salix caprea) – A dwarf willow that grows to only 8-10 feet. Features twisted branches and a rounded form.
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Flamingo Willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’) – Has colorful pink and white variegated leaves Grows to 10 feet tall,
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Swiss Willow (Salix helvetica) – A miniature willow that reaches just 3-6 feet tall at maturity.
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Boydii Willow (Salix ‘Boydii’) – A cross between a weeping willow and dwarf arctic willow. Has a shrubby form and grows to 8 feet tall.
Avoid Large, Tree-Type Willows
Larger weeping willows and other full-size varieties are not well-suited for container growing. Stick to more compact cultivars like those suggested above.
Selecting the Right Pot or Container
Pick a container that is at least 18-24 inches wide and 12-16 inches deep. This will provide enough room for root development. Drainage holes at the base are essential. You can drill extra holes if needed.
Heavy, sturdy pots like ceramic, plastic, or terra cotta work well. Make sure the pot is large enough to handle the mature size of your willow variety.
The Best Soil Mix for Potted Willows
Willows prefer rich, moist, well-draining soil. The ideal potting mix contains:
- 2 parts high-quality potting soil
- 1 part peat-free compost
- Perlite or sand for extra drainage
Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture.
Planting Your Potted Willow Tree
- Soak the willow’s root ball in water for 1 hour before planting
- Fill the container 2/3 full with moistened soil mix
- Place the root ball in the pot, spreading out the roots gently
- Backfill remaining space with more soil, firming it around the roots
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil
Caring for Your Potted Willow
To keep your container-grown willow thriving, provide consistent care:
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Watering: Check soil moisture frequently. Water whenever the top few inches become dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Sunlight: Place the pot in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily). Dwarf willows can tolerate some shade.
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Fertilizer: Feed every 4 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Pruning: Trim back dead branches as needed. Prune annually to maintain size and shape.
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Pest Control: Inspect for aphids, sawflies, leaf beetles. Remove pests by hand or use organic insecticidal soap.
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Winter Care: Move potted willow into an unheated garage or cellar before frost. Avoid freezing temps.
Troubleshooting Common Willow Tree Problems
Willows are relatively hardy but can experience a few issues when grown in pots:
Problem: Leaves Wilting
- Cause: Underwatering, overwatering, root rot
- Solution: Check soil moisture and water correctly. Repot if roots are rotting.
Problem: Stunted Growth
- Cause: Insufficient light, poor drainage, root restriction
- Solution: Move pot to sunnier location. Repot in bigger container if roots are crowded.
Problem: Leaf Curling
- Cause: Aphid infestation, insufficient water
- Solution: Blast aphids off with water. Increase watering frequency.
Problem: Yellow Leaves
- Cause: Poor drainage, overwatering, nutrient deficiency
- Solution: Repot in mix with better drainage. Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize regularly.
Decorating with Potted Willow Trees
Willows in containers bring elegance and charm to outdoor living spaces:
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Flank the front door or entryway with matching potted willows
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Use a dwarf willow in a ceramic pot as a centerpiece on the patio or deck
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Place willow pots on either side of stairs for a beautiful accent
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Let a weeping willow cascade over the side of a raised planter
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Line a pathway or garden border with willow trees in coordinating containers
With their graceful cascading branches and lovely foliage, container-grown willow trees allow you to enjoy the beauty of these stunning trees even in small outdoor spaces. Follow this guide for successfully growing willows in pots. With the right care and attention, your potted willow will flourish for years to come.
The First Weeping Willow
There are many different species of willow trees growing mostly in the northern half of our planet, and humans soon discovered that their flexible twigs could be made into baskets. In dry areas of northern China the dominant willow is the species we today call Salix babylonica. Found growing near water, this is a fast-growing tree, reaching 60 to 80 feet tall, and often only living 60 to 70 years. Like all willows it has separate male and female trees, with both producing petal-less flowers in slender clusters called catkins. One day, thousands of years ago, a female tree with a poor sense of ‘up and down’ was found. The main branches grew upright, but all the smaller ones hung down under their own weight, creating a striking pendulous tree we know as the Weeping Willow. This unique tree grew easily from branches pushed into the ground, and it was soon found all across China, and from their it was taken along the Silk Road to Syria. From their it was brought to England by 1730, and it was soon found growing in gardens, and also as an escapee along streams and rivers. Early settlers brought it to America soon afterwards. It is worth mentioning that other popular garden plants followed the same route, including the Hardy Hibiscus, Hibiscus syriacus. Flowering in late summer and into the fall, this popular tree came to Europe from Syria, but it doesn’t grow wild there, instead it is found in China, just like the Weeping Willow.
When the inventor of our modern system of plant names, Carl Linnaeus, took on the job of naming this (and many other) trees, he immediately remembered the biblical reference to willow found in Psalm 137. “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, …….We hanged our harps upon the willows …….” Linnaeus thought he was looking at this biblical willow, and so it became Salix babylonica. Today we know that it was the Euphrates poplar, not a willow, that grows along those rivers, and where the harps were hung.
Blue Willow – from Garden to Plate and Back Again
Once a direct route to China was found, one of the first and most valuable of items was porcelain. Europeans in the 17th century were not very good at pottery. Their pots were thick and roughly made, and the marvels of Chinese porcelain – so thin you could see light through it – made it highly desirable. The most valuable was blue & white pottery – painting of plants or figures in blue on a white background. The first shipments to arrive in Holland sold off the boat for a fortune, and with the difficulties of trading over such distances, it remained beyond the reach of ordinary people. Enterprising European potters saw and opportunity and began to copy it. By the beginning of the 18th century potters like Meissen in Germany and Italian potters in Faenza were making tolerable pieces that could be profitably sold to the mass market, and the English weren’t far behind. These companies decorated their pieces with patterns and designs ‘inspired by’ the Chinese pieces they saw, and fanciful scenes of Chinese gardens were especially popular. Around 1790 the pottery of Josiah Spode in England began to produce pieces with a distinctive garden scene, a design that is still being made today, that the English call ‘willow pattern’, and that we know in America as Blue Willow.
Central to this design is a tree with hanging branches – the Weeping Willow. The instant appeal of this tree made it popular on plates, and inspired countless gardeners to put one in their gardens. As many of them discovered, planting a willow tree is not something to be undertaken lightly, so let’s get out of the kitchen and move outdoors to learn more about this iconic tree.
It’s Worth a Grow – Flamingo Dappled Willow
FAQ
How do you care for a potted weeping willow?
Care for the Weeping Willow
It’s more important for a weeping willow tree to receive full sun to partial shade and to be planted in slightly acidic, moist soil. Even if you don’t have a pond, as long as it gets enough water and sun, your weeping willow tree will thrive.
Is there a difference between a willow and a weeping willow?
Yes, there’s a difference. While a “weeping willow” is a type of willow tree, the term “willow” can refer to a broader category of trees and shrubs within the Salix genus.
How many years does it take to grow a willow tree?
Willow trees grow very fast, adding 3-10 feet each year when they’re young. It takes a willow tree about 5-10 years to grow tall and start making seeds. They do best in wet soil and full sun, especially near rivers and streams.
Where should you not plant a willow tree?
Do not plant outside during the winter. Weeping willows are hardy but these little shoots are just babies. When planting outside in the spring make sure to stay away from buildings, septic tanks, and sewer pipes. Underground gas lines, electrical lines, and telephone and television cables should also be protected.